New Mexican Eatery Opens in Historic Worcester Hotel

Rio Viejo Cocina de México brings diverse Mexican cuisine to downtown Worcester

Apr. 15, 2026 at 6:08am

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A bold, colorful silkscreen print featuring a repeating grid of stacked tacos in bright shades of red, green, and yellow, conceptually representing the diverse Mexican cuisine now available at the new Rio Viejo Cocina de México restaurant in downtown Worcester.The vibrant new Rio Viejo Cocina de México restaurant brings a taste of Mexico to downtown Worcester, adding to the city's growing culinary diversity.Worcester Today

A new Mexican restaurant, Rio Viejo Cocina de México, has officially opened its doors at 50 Franklin Street inside the historic Bancroft Hotel building in downtown Worcester. The restaurant, welcomed with a ribbon-cutting by Mayor Joe Petty, offers a broad menu of Mexican dishes and free chips and salsa, joining a growing cluster of eateries around Franklin Street.

Why it matters

The opening of Rio Viejo Cocina de México adds to the diverse dining options in downtown Worcester, which has seen a resurgence of new restaurants and businesses in recent years. The addition of this Mexican eatery provides residents and visitors with another culinary destination in the city's historic center.

The details

Rio Viejo Cocina de México is located at 50 Franklin Street, inside the Bancroft Hotel building. The restaurant offers a wide variety of Mexican dishes, including tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and more. Customers can also enjoy free chips and salsa. The opening of the new eatery was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Worcester Mayor Joe Petty.

  • Rio Viejo Cocina de México officially opened its doors in April 2026.

The players

Rio Viejo Cocina de México

A new Mexican restaurant that has opened in downtown Worcester, located inside the historic Bancroft Hotel building.

Joe Petty

The mayor of Worcester, who attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony to welcome the new restaurant to the city.

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The takeaway

The opening of Rio Viejo Cocina de México in downtown Worcester is a positive development for the city, adding to the growing diversity of dining options and contributing to the revitalization of the historic center.